Hustle and Glow: Brightening Tips

Top beauty experts reveal their secrets for luminous skin, hair, and teeth

Turns out, jonesing for a youthful glow isn't just a matter of vanity. Studies show that faces with an even skin tone are perceived as not just more attractive, but actually healthier than their less-even counterparts. Here, quick tricks to fake a lit-from-within complexion, shiny hair, and a bright smile—just in time for your spring awakening.

Best Face Forward
Even mere mortal complexions can be "perfected," says makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, whose layering techniques make Kate Moss look ultraluminous in these photos. Tilbury started with foundation followed by pats of moisturizer on the cheekbones. "The extra layer gives a beautiful sheen to the skin. I use this trick on models just before they go on the catwalk."

Most Popular

Makeup artist Lorrie Turk builds sheer products to keep Taylor Swift looking fresh-faced, even after her twentieth consecutive show. Turk applies translucent foundation and tops it with an illuminating powder "on the apex of the cheekbones and on the inner corners of the eyes." Finally, carefully placed bronzer adds warmth and sculpted definition: "Blend bronzer, one shade darker than skin, under cheekbones, on temples, and across the jawline," Tilbury says.

Lock Luster
The ombré hair trend is maintaining its cool (see Bilson, Alba, Barrymore), but overprocessed tips tend to look drab. "Damaged ends are harder to style and lack shine," says Motions celebrity stylist Ursula Stephen, who keeps the coifs of Kerry Washington and Rihanna in tip-top shape. For weekly radiance boosts, Stephen recommends using a deep-conditioning mask to repair, followed by a cold water rinse to close the hair cuticles. "A smoothed cuticle will reflect the most shine," she says. When blow-drying, leave hair 10 percent damp "to prevent dulling heat damage," she adds.

No time for in-salon highlights? At-home color-depositing glosses or lightening products gradually tweak hair color with less damage than a chemical treatment.

White, Now
The latest generation of tooth whiteners, such as Crest 3D White Two Hour Express Whitestrips, removes surface stains in a flash. If even 120 minutes seems too long, brighten on the go: Try dabbling in color theory with a blue-based red lipstick. "You need to create contrast," says dentist Robert W. Gerlach, DDS. "White will appear brighter against a deep red or blue background." For extra luster, Dior makeup artist Ricky Wilson suggests "adding a bit of sheer gloss to the center of the bottom lip to bounce light."